Banau, Batad Rice Terraces
In reading through a handful of must see lists online and then more specifically in our travel companion "Southeast Asia on a Shoestring," we came across the Ifugao Rice Terraces. These rice terraces must have been built by hand long before the use of modern tools as they are estimated to have been carved into the steep mountains over 2,000...
Backpacking through Malaysian Borneo: Second stop, Orangutans in Sepilok!
Orangutans, the critically endangered great apes, live in the wild in only 2 places in the world. That's right, only 2 places. The rainforests of Borneo and Sumatra. We just so happened to be heading that way when we booked our trip to Malaysian Borneo for diving. So, after a little research, we arranged our flights in and out...
Backpacking through Malaysian Borneo: First Stop, Sipadan Island!
After taking a diving refresher course in Thailand when my sister Lilli was traveling with us, I was determined to find the best diving in Southeast Asia. It only took a minute to Google "the best scuba diving in the world" and find Sipadan Island at the top. And it certainly didn't hurt that some of the dive lodges...
How Can Budget Backpackers Afford a Trip to Ha Long Bay?
If you've seen pictures of Vietnam and considered making a trip, the gorgeous Ha Long Bay must have turned up in your research. It was definitely on our list, but it became a little bit of a challenge. Relentlessly searching for an overnight option to visit Halong Bay, we couldn't seem to find a 'safe' option that was less...